Collagen Casing is a casing used in the production of sausages and other cured meats, made primarily of collagen, often derived from cattle hide. It is used as an alternative to natural casings and has the ability to hold the shape and consistency of the product during cooking.

The name describes the structure of the ingredient:.

• Collagen is a protein found abundantly in the human body and animals. It is known for its strength and elasticity and is often used in food and cosmetic products for its beneficial properties for skin and connective tissues.
• Casing refers to a covering or sheath. In a food context, particularly in sausage making, casings can be natural or artificial and are used to contain the mixture of meat and spices.

Raw materials used in production.

• The primary raw materials for producing collagen casings are animal hides, most commonly bovine hides. After hair and other unwanted parts are removed, the hide is treated with an alkaline solution to extract collagen.

Step-by-step summary of its industrial production process.

• The hides are cleaned and treated to remove hair and other impurities.
• The hides are soaked in an alkaline solution to extract collagen.
• The collagen is then purified and hydrolyzed to form a collagen solution.
• The collagen solution is then extruded through a nozzle into a coagulating solution which forms a collagen tube.
• This collagen tube is then dried and conditioned to produce a collagen casing.
• Finally, the collagen casing is wound and cut to size for use in sausage production.

Form and color.

Collagen casings are typically semi-transparent and can vary in color from clear to slightly opaque. They come in various sizes and thicknesses, and can be straight or curved depending on sausage production needs.

Commercial applications.

Collagen casings are widely used in the food industry, particularly in the production of sausages and other cured meats. They are known for their strength and uniformity and are used as an alternative to natural casings in many sausage production applications.